Kimkim Trip Reviews for Scotland

We loved that we could skipthe line because we had tickets and the guidebook is a great souvenir!

Our guide was knowledgeable and complete!

Terrific experience learning about Scotch whiskey production. Izzie is a great guide!

Rick was a wonderful guide. We had a great time.

Amazing hotel! Beautiful rooms and perfect location. The breakfast was fantastic.

The location was amazing. The hotel was old and in need of some updates, but it was clean and worked out well for us. The breakfast was mediocre, but we loved the sitting room in the front of the hotel which overlooked the water.

Loved this hotel, but had to walk up several flights of stairs, which was a bit difficult for my Mom, who is 88. Otherwise, beautiful location, clean, updated, great breakfast.

This was a bit commercial. The castle was very nice.

Wonderful tour! The highlight of our trip. Well organized, beautiful views.

Amazing tour. Beautiful scenery.

Nice tour...a little too long and the Scotch as not as good as others we tried.

This is a truly exceptional hotel! The lobby is absolutely gorgeous, the room was massive and elegant, and the hotel and wait staff could not have been more gracious and helpful. I could not give a higher recommendation for this hotel!

The food and drinks on this tour were fabulous, and each stop presented a unique view of Glasgow. However, the true highlight of the tour was Megan, our tour guide. Megan was full of personality and highly knowledgeable about the venues, the food, and Glasgow in general. She made the tour a very enjoyable experience for all of us.

Really nice family owned inn. Rooms were super clean with great Scottish plaid decorating and clean and cool bathrooms. They got up 30 min early to get us breakfast before our flight out. Really fresh and yummy breakfast.

Wonderful staff from the moment we walked in (with a champagne toast). Superb made to order breakfast. Whole inn was incredible. Cozy and comfortable room with amazing views! Can’t say enough positive!! Quiet and peaceful!

What a special treat! Excellent view of the water. Comfortable beds. Clean house. Nice to have all en suite bathrooms and laundry!

Excellent location, fabulous breakfast (best of our trip), free mini bar, great rooms (but no view). One staff member in the bar was very unpleasant on more than one occasion but all other service was great!

Excellent location, friendly staff, nice breakfast, lobby was great! Room was small with no view.

Such a cool distillery. So much history. And loved that they stressed “to go” bottles to avoid drinking and drinking. Got to take home three samples and a Dalwhinnie glass to enjoy at home.

Gareth was very knowledgeable. We loved his stories! Learned so much in our three hours with him. Best way to start our time in Edinburgh

Best experience enhanced by having Guy walk us through and sharing his knowledge and passion. I think the audio guide would have been good but we were fortunate to have a special tour!

Guy was amazing! So much energy and so knowledgeable. He was extremely interested in the history and economics of London. We felt so fortunate to spend the morning learning and laughing with him!

The accommodations at the Dungallen Country House was delightful. The staff was so helpful, breakfast was lovely and when we asked for lunch to take with us, it was ready when we were leaving. Gorgeous setting!

Leonardo City Edinburgh was in a convenient location, as we could easily walk or Uber to the old town. The building was previously used as a maternity hospital, which I loved very much. However, the hotel itself was a bit on the dirty side, which was a little bit disappointing.

Knipoch Hotel was one of our favorite accommodations. Located outside Oban, it perfectly captured the essence of the place. The dining experience at the hotel was excellent, with lovely meals and a great breakfast. It provided a splendid sense of comfort after long drives during our trip.

We were very pleased with Balmoral Arms. The hotel had a charming sense of the local culture and offered excellent dining options. It was a nice place to relax after a day of exploration.

The Coolin View in Portree on the Isle of Skye did not meet our expectations. Although the view from the hotel was stunning, with picturesque views of colorful buildings on the water, the room itself was lacking. The bathroom was small, with a loud on-demand hot water system that was quite disruptive. It was not as comfortable as we had hoped.

The Isles Of Glencoe Hotel was nice and modern, and though our stay was short, it was quite enjoyable. It seemed like a great spot for those into outdoor activities, with bikes and kayaks available for rent.

We had a wonderful stay at the Cairngorm Hotel in Aviemore. The room was fine, but what really made our stay memorable was the bar with live music almost every night. We really enjoyed ourselves, especially because we stayed there for a couple of nights.

The Oban Distillery Tour was a lovely experience. As someone who only wanted to visit one distillery, Oban was a perfect choice given its history. It was educational and enjoyable, and one distillery tour was just right for us.

The Orkney Food & Drink Tour was interesting, but perhaps not the best choice for Orkney itself due to its small size. Our guide tried her best, and we did sample some local goods like soup and crackers, but it might have been better to focus on Orkney's history tours instead.

The History Lovers Old Town Walking Tour in Edinburgh was really enjoyable. Our guide, possibly named Shannon, did an excellent job, and we learned so much. It was a great experience.

Afternoon Tea at Edinburgh Castle was such a special experience. We enjoyed it immensely, probably even more than the castle tour itself. It was a delightful treat!

The tour at Stirling Castle was fantastic. We loved the historical aspect and the richness of the castle itself. I only wish we had stayed in Stirling to explore the town more. It's definitely a place worth spending more time in.

We absolutely loved the visit to Fingal's Cave! Although the journey was long with bus and ferry rides, the hour we spent at the cave was well worth it. The columnar basalts were stunning, and seeing the puffins was an incredible bonus. This was the highlight of the day, despite traveling to other locations.

Awkward location, no valet, nowhere to park.

One of the best hotels we have ever experienced.

Looks great, seems understaffed. Dusty, old, needs a deep cleaning, maybe replace some carpets. My sense was that they think they are better than they are, staff are pretentious. The menu is very different, only ate there once but wouldn’t recommend the dining room.

Staff excellent. Parking is a problem with construction and loss of land to an adjacent development.

Very interesting.

We could have done this walkabout on our own.

This location is off the beaten path but an important part of our trip because of family connections. We were pleased to see a photo of our great grandfather in the wall of the cafe!

Our guide was passionate, knowledgeable and a pleasure to be with.

This is a chain hotel. It was clean and comfortable, but not memorable. I think this was more of a business hotel than tourist hotel. Their on-site parking is a very small lot and probably one of the most traumatic driving experiences of our time in Scotland. Long car in narrow garage--not a great combination. We did not need the car for the days we were there.

This is a wonderful place to stay just outside of Inverness. The Baronial House is grand and the staff is wonderful. Rooms are of a good size and comfortable buy unique. The shared lounge is a great place to meet and talk with other guests. The staff work very hard to be accommodating. Breakfast was wonderful.

It is a nice small hotel. It is a bit tired, but it was clean and the staff was helpful. It is an easy walk to the grassmarket and old town.

This was the perfect location to end our trip. In the heart of Edinburgh's newtown it is right on St. Andrews Square, next to the tram, and easy walking to lots of shops, restaurants, and attractions. The hotel set up is funky and so are the rooms, but they were clean and comfortable.

The rooms here are cozy with not a great deal of extra space and the lack of an elevator makes getting things up and down a bit of a challenge, but what do you expect in a hotel with only nine rooms. The staff are all helpful, friendly, and outstanding.

I cannot say enough about Taransay House. The owners and their son, the chef, are charming people. They welcomed us with a dram of whisky and throughout our stay did everyting they could and more to make us comfortable. The rooms are modern and comfortable with a beautiful view of the water. Our stay here included dinner and the food for both breakfast and dinner was outstanding.

Gareth was a wealth of knowledge and he shared history, politics, and a whole variety of information. He was engaging and tweaked the tour to our needs and wants.

This is a bit touristy, but still worth the visit. It is amazing to learn about the history of the city and how people lived. I could have used less focus on ghosts and such and more history.

The guides here are wonderful. Make sure to stay and ask questions at the end to get a real feel for the guide and the castle. The work and restoration that is being done is remarkable. Make sure you make it to the "living" exhibits with period dressed docents. They add a great deal to what you see and learn.

Beautiful "castle". Not a castle like Edinburgh or Sterling, but worth a visit. We did not have enough time to spend in the garden, but they looked lovely.

Rhona is a wealth of knowledge and she helped explain the battle of Culloden and its impact on Scotland and the UK. She loves this history and it is clear from the tour.

We saw five different areas in Cairngorms National Park. I was not sure what I was expecting, but the tour and guide were great. We hand the chance to see reindeer, osprey, and to meet two hairy coos up close. The guide is outstanding and I learned more than I could ever remember.

Urquhart Castle was very interesting and it is worth walking up to the visitors' center to see the short movie. The staff in and around the ruins are happy to talk and answer questions. The boat ride is exactly that, a boat ride. There was commentary being played, but it was hard to hear over people. It is a nice way to get to the castle, but I would not race out to do it again.

We did a number of distillery tours on this trip. Talisker is a very slick and well put together presentation. I did not personally feel very engaged. The tasting offered three drams and take home bottles for drivers or non-drinkers.

This is one of the meals and experiences I will always remember. The seven course tasting menu was fantastic and they were able to adapt to our dietary needs. I am not one who usually takes pictures of my food, but it was so good and so beautiful that I had to. The service was elegant, efficient, and friendly.

This is a nice way to see the islands and to get out to the Island of Staffa. However, the rest of the trip is a bit of a let down. You only drive across the Isle of Mull without stops. There is a combination of driver commentary and canned commentary that is interesting. The detour to Staffa is wonderful. We were unable to land on the island due to construction, but we did see all the major sites and were there when the puffins were there. Iona is a sweet little island, but it does not require more than two hours. Other than the Abbey and a couple of shops there is very little. We walked a good deal of the island. The ferry rides were fine.

This was the best distillery tour of the four we took. They provided all sorts of extra information and instead of tasting everything at the end, they give you drams to try throughout the tour. It is amazing to see how the town grew around the distillery and leaves them no room for expansion. Drivers and non-drinkers take homes are provided. Like many places, you get a discount in the shop for taking the tour. I celebrated by bottling my own bottle of whisky which I had to register, sign, bottle, and seal, plus it is a single barrel, really good whisky.

The group was a bit large, but the guide was informative and entertaining. He truly loves Glasgow and has the attitudes and accent of a real Glaswegian. With a large group you spend more time moving than talking, but still very worthwhile.

We asked for this to be added to our intinerary and I am so glad we did. Soul Sisters Cafe is a non-profit that provides meals to the homeless, hungry, and paying customers and trains immigrant women in Glasgow. Their food style is mainly middle eastern, but they did scones for us. We started with a wonderful lunch followed by the class. However, as we talked with the ladies in the cafe, the continued to show us and share things with us. I really want to learn how to make the stuffed Algerian flatbread they made. By the time we left, we felt like part of the family.

This is what you think of when you think of a castle. It is a beautiful location and a wonderful tour with knowlegeable guides. You get the entire history of the castle and there is a lot to see.

I was not sure why we were doing this, but I am glad we did. The Kepies are two statues built in the Scottish countryside. It is worth it to take the tour to get the history of the statues and to have the chance to stand inside one of them. The guide was great and helped us understand why these beautiful statues were there.

One of the nicest places I've ever stayed, and I've travelled all over the world. Warm, old-world elegance; friendly staff, choice of 3 lovely lounges. Didn't care for the loud music being played in two of them and the lobby, but one lounge was kept as a quiet space, so I survived. A dog-friendly establishment and was delighted to meet the desk clerk's dog on one occasion. We were leaving early, so they packed us a bag breakfast. There is a nature-trail area across the street, and Loch Lomond is just across the street. The road it's on is a bit busy, but wasn't a problem. We elected to eat in a lovely former church down the street about half a kilometer, called 'Kirk o' the lochs'. Nice decor and good food to be found there.

Arrived 5:00 pm. Were made welcome. Rooms and amenities were fine, but we were leaving early in the morning, so we didn't have a chance to sample food. They put together a bag breakfast for us to take on the road, so we were impressed.

Rooms were comfortable. Breakfast dining room staff were great, and the food was excellent. However, in a separate dining room for supper, the service was terrible. Bored teenagers waiting on us; waited 20 minutes to be noticed and then had to walk over to the counter and ask for a menu. After that another staff person came and told us that they only had 2 cooks on that night, so we would have to wait about a half hour for our food. Not impressed.

Nice rooms, Victorian decor, friendly staff, good food. However, in the four days we were there, they didn't clean our room. A bit unusual, but we didn't suffer for it. Also, guests should be aware this is a 'no alcohol' hotel. Meals in the dining room are a bit expensive, but there are other restaurants, take-away places, and a grocery store within a couple of blocks for cheaper options.

This was one of the true highlights of the trip. Jimmy was our host, and he has a very small boat; can only take 3 guests, so it is very up-close and personal. Jimmy was very friendly and was a fountain of knowledge about the area. He asked what we wanted to see and took us to places to see it. We saw castles, seals, and numerous kind of seabirds. By the end of the tour, it felt like we were just friends out on a boat together. The only thing was that I was expecting a larger tour boat, and he was off to the side of the marina, so it was a bit of a challenge to find him. However, it was well worth it. I highly recommend hium.

I want to go back. Ending here at this hotel was amazing because it was the best one of the whole trip. Location is stellar. We walked everywhere. Staff was amazing. Breakfast was great and dinner as well!

Great location. My only complaint was that the family room we booked didn't have air conditioning and was on a high floor, so we were sweltering. The staff helped with some fans but I would not suggest staying here.

This was hands down amazing. I wish we had more nights there. My kids were treated like royalty! The grounds are stunning. We did falconry with them and it was a one of a kind experience.

Beautiful, amazing staff. Full kitchen and laundry but not near anything you are pretty stuck at the hotel if you don't have a car. We made due with taxi services. Meals are pretty set time wise so I would make sure you have snacks etc for kids to have on hand.

Location is amazing. Close to everything and walkable. I will say the "family" room was actually two hotel rooms next to each other that didn't physically connect, so my husband and I each split with a kid. For 3 nights this was no big deal and we were so close to everything it was worth it. I will say although friendly to kids here I wouldn't bring any kid less than 4 years old

Leave earlier than you think. We nearly missed our flight due to the security line was so long.

Our hotel was about 1 block away which we didn't realize. But the ride was fine.

Of course we had to do this as Harry Potter fans! It's a lot of riding but beautiful views! It was HOT. There is no AC on the train. Bring lots of water and a fan if possible.

Great day. Our driver was very flexible and we let him make suggestions of what to do and where to go!

Worth it for sure. Up close and personal with the coos! Felt very intimate because they only take 8 guests at a time.

Loved this. It was a bit far from Edinburgh. Unfortunately we didn't get to do broomstick flying due to weather. I also highly recommend Lillidorei playground which is attached on the grounds. My kids would have stayed there an entire day

Room was very nice. Staff was amazing.

The Rabbies bus was very comfortable and George was great. The Ferry ride was worth the trip. We got to go the Castle and the gardens were magnificent. It was a long day but very interesting and enjoyable. The Isle of Arran is beautiful

Got to take 3 train rides while in Scotland. This one was really nice. Enjoyed it a lot.

This was so much fun even though it was windy and rainy. We saw several seals. The boat captain was very knowledgeable about the area. A great trip.

This was another Rabbies tour and Mick was great. He is a great storyteller and knew all about the Isle of Skye. Loved the Old Man of Storr.

This was a great tour with Claire. I loved the peace and quiet of Glen Affric. The Clava Cairns were amazing. Culloden was great. The visitor center was so well done and very informative. This would be on the top of my list to do again.

I got to ride with the farm hand to see the coos. She was very knowldgeable and interesting to talk too.

This was so interesting and the gardens were beautiful. John was amazing.

Rabbies tour driver was David and he was awesome. Stirling castle was so interesting

Mariusz was great on this tour. We got to see a lot of places and let me get my bearings on the Royal Mile. We would park and take a walk and it was great. I loved the private car and driver.

Slightly away from downtown, lovely grounds, Rooms are a bit dated.

Loved this was private and off the beaten path from the main busy tourist areas

Beautiful views, nice restaurant, good amenities

Lovely B&B a quick walk up the hill from downtown Oban. Historic charm but still very comfortable

Gorgeous grounds and property. Multiple restaurant options, Great location. First class amenities

I wish we had gotten to stay here longer. We flew in a bit later than expected and just stayed one night. But we really enjoyed our rooms, the lobby, the bar and the breakfast. It was fun to stroll the neighborhood, too!

This was the first time we have stayed at a Virgin hotel, but it will not be the last! The three nights we spent in Edinburgh were top notch, and the hotel had a lot to do with it. The beautiful rooms made us feel very pampered, and it was as though the owners thought of every little detail. We also frequented the bar and got to know the friendly staff there.

We couldn't believe how gorgeous this place was! Seeing and hearing the sheep when we woke up was magical -- as was the expansive and private beach. Loved the restaurant and the hot tub as well as the beautiful rooms and lobby. The only downside of the community was a lack of transportation, but that is not the fault of this hotel.

Of all our accommodations, this felt most like home. Other hotels were more updated in decor and amenities, but this one exuded local character. The owners interacted with us as though we were friends, and the location could not have been more beautiful.

This tour was just as good as the Old Town tour. Our guide was also great at adapting to last-minute changes in the restaurants we visited. The food was very tasty, and we loved all the backstory about the whiskey. I would recommend this tour and our guide wholeheartedly.

This tour was amazing and what we SHOULD have had in Belfast. We learned so much about Edinburgh -- all the statues, history, interesting side stories and more. I would definitely recommend this tour and our guide.

This experience was way better than expected! We had requested an alternative to the three distilleries tour, and the wildlife tour did not disappoint. We were able to see dolphin, stags and birds, etc., and chat with the knowledgeable crew on the boat. The setup with tables and stools made it very comfortable, and it was not crowded at all.

Very disappointing. It was as if the guide were a last-minute substitute for the real guide. He had nothing planned really (the restaurant he suggested for burgers was closed) and mostly chatted in general about stuff we already knew. The only good part was a seafood soup we had at a pub. Wish we had seen the Titanic museum instead.

I reviewed by accident. Sorry! Please delete. We were not able to take this tour.